The SISTERS Annual Webinar: Optimizing Logistics to Minimize Food Loss & Waste took place on the 24 October and was organized. It was organised by Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE) and Innovarum in the framework of the WP7 of the SISTERS Project.

Food loss and waste (FLW) is a significant global issue that not only affects food security but also has severe environmental and economic implications. The SISTERS Annual Webinar aimed to address the alarming problem of food waste (FW) at the logistics stage of the food value chain and explore solutions and policies to minimize this waste.

The primary objective of the SISTERS Annual Webinar was to understand the reasons behind FW at the logistics stage of the food value chain. By identifying the root causes, the participants were able to discuss and propose policies at both EU and local levels to address this issue effectively. Additionally, the webinar served as a platform to introduce the innovation, technologies, and solutions recommended by the SISTERS project and other EU initiatives working towards reducing FLW.

One of the crucial goals of the webinar was to foster deeper inter-European cooperation and improve the network of organizations actively working to combat food losses and waste at both EU and national levels. By bringing together various stakeholders, the webinar aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, ultimately leading to more effective strategies in reducing food waste.

After the opening remarks by SAFE set the context and highlighted the importance of improving the logistics to minimize FLW, the webinar kicked off with great participation by the audience.

DG SANTE provided insights into the current state of EU FW prevention actions. This presentation shed light on the existing policies and initiatives in place and highlights any progress made in tackling food waste at the European level. As part of the same panel, the Horizon funded projects SISTERS and ZeroW presented their policy feedback on the policies related to food waste reduction targets. They specifically focused on the insights gained from the latest developments in the two projects. This session provided valuable insights into the current efforts at the project level and their potential impact on minimizing food waste.

AITIIP, the coordinator of the SISTERS project, discussed SISTERS’ plan to tackle food losses and waste at the logistics level. This presentation focused on the innovative strategies and practices that can optimize logistics and reduce food waste in the supply chain. Hørkram Foodservice also shared their best practices in this regard, offering practical insights from the industry, in the framework of the FoodRus project. NaturePlast discussed the role of bioplastics in the SISTERS project, as a potential solution to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and other logistics-related waste. This session explored the role of sustainable materials in tackling FW at the logistics stage.

The presence of the Green Deal Support Office (GDSO) representative from Ecorys provided the latest updates from the joint work of different EU funded projects working towards reducing FLW. It was an excellent opportunity to hear how this tool can foster collaboration and information sharing among various initiatives working towards a common and important goal.

To conclude

The SISTERS Annual Webinar “Optimizing Logistics to Minimize Food Loss & Waste” presented a valuable opportunity for stakeholders across Europe to come together and discuss effective strategies to address the issue of FLW at the logistics stage of the food value chain. By sharing insights, best practices, and policy recommendations, the webinar was successful in deepen cooperation and improve networking. The collective efforts of such events and initiatives will be crucial in ensuring a more sustainable and efficient food value chain in the future.